Case Number 05779: Small Claims Court

FLESH AND BLOOD: THE HAMMER HERITAGE OF HORROR

The Charge

A call to gothic horror fans: finally, here's the DVD release of the 1994
documentary that is likely the best retrospective of this legendary British film
studio. Hammer was the studio that single-handedly resurrected the terrors of
Frankenstein, the horrors of Dracula, and other nightmarish notables at a time
when these classic monsters seemed relegated to the dust of a bygone era of
genre cinema. Not so, as you'll learn when you embark on this chilling journey
into the dreadful world of Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of
Horror.

The Case

By the 1950s, the classic Universal monsters like Dracula, the Wolf Man, the
Mummy, and the Frankenstein Monster had become all but irrelevant in the motion
picture industry. Audiences, instead, flocked to the latest atomic-scare and
nuclear-nightmare science fiction spectacles, seeming to prefer giant
radioactive beasts and out-of-control mutations to man-made or mythical
monsters. As the formerly frightening fiends were reduced to roles as comic
foils (as in the non-scary yet nonetheless enjoyable Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein), or completely revamped to be more kid-friendly, it seemed
that the classic creeps had outlived their original usefulness. But in the
1950s, a small British film company found terrific success with The
Quatermass Experiment (released in the U.S. as The Creeping Unknown),
determined it would focus on horror and, more specifically, that it would try
its hand at breathing new life into the Frankenstein Monster and Dracula.

Urged on by its stateside distribution partner, 20th Century Fox, Hammer
Films dusted off a mad doctor's slab and retooled his high-voltage chamber or
horrors to bring 1957's The Curse of Frankenstein to British and U.S.
audiences, presenting Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) and his misshapen
creation (Christopher Lee) in vibrant Eastmancolor. The deep red blood flowed
more plentiful than ever as Hammer wagered that the classic monsters could still
draw audiences -- bolstered, of course, by a generous helping of graphic
violence and sultry sexiness. By 1957's standards, the effect was shocking, as
audiences witnessed vivid surgery scenes, bloody battles, and plenty of buxom
beauties on hand to fill the screen with their bulging bustiers. In 1958, Hammer
presented Dracula (released stateside as The Horror of Dracula).
This latest entry, with just as much blood and boobs as the Frankenstein
picture, set the stage for a revived franchise of classic fear on film. The
studio would tap this well of horrors for many pictures to come, featuring more
of the rampaging Frankenstein Monster and the seductive Dracula, as well as the
Mummy, werewolves, and many other denizens of horror lore and literature.

In Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror you'll learn about
all of Hammer's accomplishments, including the earliest beginnings of the studio
and how it dabbled in all genres including comedy, war action, detective
thrillers, and even documentaries before finding its true identity in the
colorful carnage of horror. While those who have studied Hammer extensively
won't find much gasp-inducing new information here, the proceedings are helmed
by none other than Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Cushing appears by way of
audio narration only; he was fighting off cancer at the time (this documentary
actually aired on British television just days before his death in August 1994).
Always the consummate professional, his narrative is informative, impassioned,
and clearly shows his pride in his work with Hammer. Christopher Lee appears on
camera and is as erudite as ever. With an authoritative yet warm delivery, he
deftly offers tantalizing tidbits and revealing reflections of his work with the
Hammer studio, its stable of directors, and his long-time horror compatriot,
Peter Cushing. The mere presence of these two genre giants makes this required
reference material for Hammer fans and general horror enthusiasts
everywhere.

That's not all, though. Writer and director Ted Newsom has hopped continents
to include rare interviews with Hammer alumni like directors Val Guest, Freddie
Francis, and Roy Ward Baker. You'll also hear from writer/director Jimmy
Sangster, who offers some amusing anecdotes about his migration from
scriptwriting to camera jockeying. More treats abound as we are reintroduced to
well-regarded Hammer actors like Hazel Court, Ingrid Pitt, Martine Beswick, and
Raquel Welch (if ever there was an angel sent to Earth, she is it). Stop-motion
legend Ray Harryhausen is also on hand to discuss his work on One Million
Years B.C. It's a well-rounded and fully engaging excursion into the history
of the studio and its work.

While the Hammer pictures have long had a loyal fan base (and rightfully
so), those fans have undeniably suffered for their passion. Since Hammer films
were financed and distributed by several different studios (including Fox,
Warner Brothers, Paramount, and Universal), it has been difficult to obtain
material for documentaries like this. Most such programs have had to settle for
public-domain trailers that are generally in horrid condition. This documentary
is no different, and therefore the quality of material within varies from quite
good to very bad. It never becomes truly unwatchable, but don't expect any sort
of reference-quality video or audio. (Thankfully, much of the Hammer horror
catalog is obtaining re-mastered releases from the likes of Anchor Bay, Warner
Brothers, and others.)

This new disc from Image Entertainment (see their previous release, The
Horror of Hammer, too) makes the most of the unsteady source elements,
delivering a full frame presentation that is more than suitable. As this isn't
the sort of program to study for technical prowess but, rather, is to be enjoyed
for its informative content, the inconsistent image quality actually lends
historical texture to the outing, with the rare on-set home movies being most
enjoyable. The audio is presented in a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono mix that remains
clear and intelligible throughout the generous 99-minute run. The only extra
you'll find on the disc is a rather lackluster video trailer.

It's been thirty years since Hammer Films produced a horror picture (To
the Devil, A Daughter in 1976), but the enthusiasm and demand for their
former creature features hasn't waned. Thanks to the proliferation of home video
in the 1980s, horror connoisseurs have been afforded the opportunity to savor
each individual Hammer horror again and again, no doubt introducing others to
the studio's excellent offerings. With the current proliferation of DVD, the
Hammer legend continues to thrive, and will no doubt entrance and enthrall new
generations of film fright fans, who know a good gothic horror when they see
one. And when it comes to documentaries, this particular program is highly
satisfying and, therefore, is highly recommended.